In 1972, a relatively unknown American author would publish his fourth and final novel before his death. The book, much like its author, would garner little attention from the public upon its release. However, many critics were vocal in their praise for the novel, with the fanfare eventually culminating in the highly prestigious National Book Award for Fiction being presented to the publication in 1973.
That author would be John Edward Williams, and the novel in question is the epistolary Augustus. Among the catalogue of Williams’s other works, Augustus stands out besides the gritty Western novels the author had been known for in the early days of his career. Books such as Butcher’s Crossing and Stoner that revealed the unvarnished, dark truths of 19th century America had comprised Williams’ repertoire of works up until the 1970s. As a result, no one could have expected when he abruptly pivoted into the world of ancient Rome.
Through a series of fictional letters, journal entries, and other fragmented glimpses into the past, Augustus tells the story of its title character and founder of the Roman Empire, Augustus Caesar.
The novel is split into three parts. The first recounts the great triumph of Octavian (who would later be crowned Augustus, or “venerable one”) as he fights his way to the top of Roman politics following the assassination of his great uncle Julius Caesar. Octavian’s rise to power is a story of resilience and hope. The young man’s ambition burns brighter than the sun, and his resolve is clear from the beginning. Many doubt him, and some foolishly stand in his way. With the help of his allies and his brilliant statesmanship, Octavian defies the odds and achieves his predecessor’s goal of becoming Rome’s sole ruler.
Yet, while the first part of the book reads like a hero’s journey, the second part is nothing short of a tragedy. Augustus, now the most powerful man in the world, works to transform Rome to his image. He reworks the nation’s corrupt bureaucracy, tidies its crumbling infrastructure, and deifies his entire bloodline as the descendants of the gods. It’s everything he could’ve dreamed of. He has solidified his place in history yet he remains unfulfilled. In his quest for immortality, Augustus pushes away all of the people who care about him, even those who have stood by his side for years. Loneliness and the constant feeling of unrest is the price he pays for his ambitions. He grows old, watching his old friends pass on, permanently losing the people from whom he so adamantly estranged himself.
Finally, the last part consists mostly of a single letter from Augustus himself to Nicolaus of Damascus that spans over the emperor’s last days. The novel completely steers clear of Augustus’ perspective until this last letter, and to hear from the eponymous character for the first time in the very last segment of the book is refreshing. Augustus reflects on the many trials and tribulations he’s endured throughout his life, bringing new insights and clarification to scenes from previous chapters along with including anecdotes that were not mentioned earlier in the novel. Finally, the sun sets on Augustus’d final day and he says to Nicolaus that he’ll continue the letter in the morning, though of course, he never gets to.
When looking back on prominent figures in history, people have a tendency to generalize them into categories of wholly good or wholly bad. It’s hard to truly understand the nuances of a person when you’re hundreds orf thousands of years removed from them. Despite this, Augustus is able to portray its titular character with the profundity and care deserving of Rome’s first emperor. The book reminds you that Augustus Caesar was a human, not a flawless, god-like figure, nor a heartless, exceedingly cruel tyrant. It isn’t just Augustus’s character that reaches surprising depths. I was impressed by the complexity of both the people and world that surrounds Augustus. Many of those closest to Augustus, such as Julia the Elder and Livia Drusilla, are especially fleshed out, with Williams being unafraid to temporarily veer off of Augustus’s life to venture into the stories of the other characters. And of course, the main setting of the book, Rome, is nearly a character itself. Augustus details so many aspects of life in Roman society that it’s not hard to immerse yourself in this ancient world. Augustus is truly a masterful work of literature. Williams condenses the remarkable life of Rome’s founder into a ceaselessly entertaining novel, bringing the emperor himself to life.
